William Troost-Ekong Reacts To Reports That He Was Forced Out Of Super Eagles

William Troost-Ekong

William Troost-Ekong, the former Super Eagles captain, has firmly denied rumors suggesting his retirement from international football was influenced by external forces, stating the move was entirely his personal choice.

At 32, Troost-Ekong announced his retirement on Thursday, concluding a remarkable 10-year stint with the Nigerian national team, during which he earned 83 caps and led the squad in multiple major tournaments. Shortly after, speculation arose on social media alleging disagreements with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) forced his exit.

The defender wasted no time in addressing the claims, directly responding to posts on đť•Ź that insinuated he was sidelined due to friction with football authorities.

He stated: “Completely false! This was my decision alone, on my own terms. No one pressured me—in fact, they wanted me to stay when I shared my plans. I fully support the team and all Nigerians in cheering them to AFCON victory.”

In another reply, he reiterated his stance: “That’s simply untrue. I stepped away for my reasons, without any influence. Wishing Coach Chelle and the squad success in AFCON. They have my backing.”
His announcement came unexpectedly soon after being included in Nigeria’s preliminary 54-man AFCON roster, prompting debates over whether he missed a deserving farewell.

Troost-Ekong first donned the Nigerian jersey in 2015 after switching from the Netherlands, becoming a defensive stalwart under former coach Stephen Keshi. Over the years, he cemented his legacy as a leader and consistent performer.

“Today, I officially retire from international duty,” he shared in his farewell note, recounting a career that spanned World Cup qualifiers, three AFCON editions, and the 2016 Olympics.
“Captaining Nigeria was more than I ever imagined. This nation embraced me, granting me the honor to lead 230 million passionate fans.”

His achievements include silver and bronze medals at AFCON, a World Cup appearance in 2018, and the title of the competition’s highest-scoring defender with three goals.